18 October,2026 08:54 AM IST | Liverpool | Agencies
Chelsea’s Pedro Neto (right) celebrates his second goal against Everton in the EPL on Saturday. pics/AFP
Pedro Neto's double condemned Everton to their first English Premier League (EPL) defeat of the season as Chelsea won 2-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium despite the loss of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to a head injury. Neto opened the scoring inside the first minute of the second half and secured the three points during the 11 added minutes following the lengthy treatment given to the stricken Martinez.
The Argentine international was involved in a sickening head clash with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the 66th minute, while trying to punch away a free-kick, and had to be stretchered off the field. He was subsequently taken to hospital. Chelsea's star performer Neto dedicated their clean sheet - a first since January this year - to the Blues shot-stopper.
Chelsea's Pedro Neto (right) celebrates his second goal against Everton in the EPL on Saturday. Pics/AFP
"This win is for him, this clean sheet is in Emi's honour," said the Portuguese forward, who also went on to credit his national team coach Jorge Jesus for instilling in him a sense of calmness in front of goal. "He [Jesus] said when you are near the goal you just need to pass it in."
Blues coach Xabi Alonso was pleased to see his side rack up their third league win on the trot. "We needed one of these away wins [to boost our confidence]. It was a good, solid, professional performance. I'm happy with the clean sheet too, we knew it would only be a matter of time before we got it, but the first one always feels good," said the Spaniard.
Meanwhile Everton boss, David Moyes, felt his side failed to threaten Chelsea's backline enough. "We didn't create enough chances. That was our biggest indictment," said Moyes.
Chelsea had gotten off to a slow start, and they took until four minutes before half-time to threaten when Moises Caicedo blasted off the bar from a corner. However, they flew out of the blocks in the second half. Jorrel Hato got to the byline and his low cross fell to Neto, who had time to control before firing low past Everton custodian Jordan Pickford.
The treatment for the injured Martinez threatened to halt Chelsea's momentum, but added to their tally when Neto coolly stroked the ball into the bottom corner after Jordan Henderson's free-kick was blocked by the Everton wall.
Brentford 1-2 Liverpool
Man City 3-2 Ipswich
Fulham 1-0 Hull City
22
No of EPL matches since Chelsea's previous clean sheet
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